Leg clamp for containers



Sept. 23, 1941.

F. B. LOMAX LEG CLAMP FOR CONTAINERS Filed Oct. 21, 1959 ZZZ/EH [3F H TPANK LOMAX J: v: E 5

Patented Sept. 23, 1941 OFFICE 2,256,522 LEG CLAMP FOR. CONTAINERS Frank B. Lomax, Chicago, Ill. Application October 21, 1939, Serial No. 300,676

2 Claims.

This invention relates to clamping means, and more particularly to a leg clamp for a container or the like.

Heretofore in clamping supporting legs to a container or tank, particularly where the wall of the tank is of relatively thin metal such as stainless steel, I have observed that there is a tendency for the clamping mechanism to indent or mar the wall of the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a construction which will overcome this defect of the previous clamping constructions for containers and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple,'but inexpensive clamping arrangement for securing a leg to a container and which will preclude the clamp from marring or indenting the wall of the tank.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, there is provided a clamping construc tion for embracing the thin hollow wall of a container or tank and which comprises a resilient band enveloping the wall, an outer clamping ring for disposition over and around the hand, there being supporting means extending between the band and ring at spaced intervals, and means for tightening the ring so as to frictionally bind it to the wall through the inner band.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a single embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my novel clamping construction showing it applied to a tank and legs for supporting the same;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly in elevation, drawn to a very enlarged scale and showing in plan elevation the details going to make up my novel clamping assembly.

As shown on the drawing:

The reference character I designates generally a tank which may be made of any suitable material, such, for example, as thin metallic sheet, and which in some cases may be stainless steel. The tank is closed at its bottom and has an open top which is normally adapted to be covered by a suitable lid 2.

The tank is supported by a plurality of vertical legs 3, which are illustrated as being four in number and each of which may consist of a tube or pipe.

Each leg 3 has secured to it a plurality of cols 4, each of which has a lateral offset 5. The offset 5 on the upper collar faces upwardly, whereas the offset 5 on the lower collar faces downwardly. Otherwise, these offset structures are substantially identical and cooperate with identically the same clamping means. It is believed, therefore, that a description of the clampthese collars will sufiice corresponding leg 3.

The clamping means comprises an inner endless resilient band 6 and an outer heavier split clamping ring 1 between which the offsets 5 extend, as shown in Figure 3. Each of the offsets tacting surface 9.

The clamping ring I has its ends formed into lateral ears I 0-H, which are adapted to be connected and drawn together by means of a tightening bolt l2.

From the foregoing. description, it will be appreciated that in the assembly of the clamping means the bands 6 are first placed in position about the upper and lower portions of the tank, as shown in Figure 1. Then, the offsets 5 on the collars 4 of the supporting legs are disposed in position about the tank and outside of the bands 6. Thereafter each the collars are tightly clamped or frictionally the tank I. During this process of tightening, it will be noted that the intermediate band serves to withstand any pressure tending to dent or mar the surface of the tank. This band due to its resiliency readily adjusts itself to the surface of the tank and can in effect cause the collars 4 to be wedgingly clamped to the tank through the instrumentality of the tightening means without in any way affecting. the surface of the tank wall.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be a wide range without departing ciples of this invention, and it is, therefore, not

thin wall, said supporting means comprising a plurality of spaced legs each provided with a part extending between said band and ring and being tightly clamped therebetween to secure said leg to the container. 7

2. A clamping construction for embracing a 7 thin hollow wall of a cylindrical container comprising a band embracing said wall and an outer clamping ring for disposition over and around said band, supporting means extending between said band and ring at spaced intervals, and

means for tightening said ring to frictionally bindthe same to said wall through said inner band whereby any marring or distorting pressure is applied to said band rather than to said thin wall, said supporting means comprising a plurality of spaced legs each having a lug (ex-- tending between said band and ring, said lug comprising a part of a collar and said collar being disposed in the upper end of said leg so 15 as to serve as a cap for the top of the leg.

FRANK B. LOMAX. 

